The moment they got back inside the wall, things have been a total blur. Levi was used to all the talking, but this time around, inside his head, there were no voices. The deafening silence one usually hears in a quiet night is the one surrounding him in this bright afternoon.

Formalities went on as per usual, and Levi did his part, writing down and signing things, getting used to this deafness he now has.

One person at a time, each face looks the same to Levi, but he would manage a word or two, he himself is not sure what he was saying – he can't hear himself either.

As much as he hates it, they have to face the family of those who died. Levi then looked up at Irvin, not because Irvin called out his name but because Levi was so used to sensing someone else's presence. He left his table, neat as usual and followed Irvin to the mess hall. The mess hall is where soldiers usually eat, and civilians are not normally in here, but at special times like these, it becomes Levi's most hated place. Each expedition, the way the Legion has dealt with the families of those they lost becomes different. And as of lately, Irvin would order that the families be gathered altogether in some special cases.

Irvin stood up front, a little elevated portion where a blackboard's pinned on the wall – the spot where urgent announces were made and the likes. Levi followed Irvin, still deaf but he can distinguish every face in the crowd as clear as he can remember the faces these people are mourning for.

Even before Irvin let out a word, Levi, for the very first time heard cries – many of them. He then saw to his right, Erd's fiancé, and her cries were messy, tears all over her slightly swollen face. He noted how she holds onto her stomach, cradling it as if there's an invisible thing she's holding. An old woman tries her best to calm her while holding back her own tears and Levi discreetly looked away.

Irvin started talking, and Levi felt like the world was suddenly too loud. Having his hearing back suddenly felt like a curse has been lifted, but he doesn't want it to be yet. It was lifted far too early.

After Irvin told the families the grave truth about their loved one's remains, Levi tried to hold his stare as he heard more crying, people shouting out names he knew quite well, questions they throw to the air where no one would or could answer.

By this time, Irvin would be coming down from where he is, but instead Irvin stood there, his face as expressionless as Levi.

"Levi-san…" An old man, the one who was talking to Levi after they just got in, the one who was all smiles and excitement talking about his daughter, the one who is Petra Ral's father, walked towards them, on the platform and with trembling hands grabbed onto Levi's sleeve. "My daughter…"

All Levi could do was look at him. At the most, he tried to look at him with less of his usual emotionless face – but all Levi could really manage was a blank look in the man's already bulging, swollen, red eyes.

The man's grip went to Levi's forearm, he was shaking and his tears were building down his chin – some of them falling on Levi's hand. "It's not true Sir… it's…"

Even in Levi's surprise, he heard himself talking – his usual voice, the borderline of uninterested and bored, "This is a war we're fighting." He said, holding onto the old man's hand, "Many of us have died and will die." At that, he tightened his hold onto the old man before letting go – the old man's hand dropping to his sides as he sat on the ground and continued weeping.

Soon enough, Irvin was at the door and Levi, his blank face back to how it was, turned towards where Irvin is and suddenly, Levi felt someone grab his shoulder – the touch was softer, most likely that of a woman.

Levi felt himself being pulled to face his back and with thoughts suddenly blank, he felt his cheek burning – the sting of someone's hand hitting his cheek was suddenly more painful that a titan's blood landing on his skin.

It was Erd's fiancé, her other hand on her stomach, her face drenched, with tears still flowing as Levi watches the fire of anger burn in her eyes. "How could you…"

"Emilia…" The old woman from before spoke, holding onto Erd's fiancé, "You have to calm down…"

Emilia didn't move an inch and kept her eyes on Levi. "You're a monster…" She said, gaining a little twitch of Levi's corner eye, "You're no different from those monsters out there!"

"Emilia!" The old woman cried, trying to hold her own tears as Emilia tries to lay another hand on Levi. "Stop it! The child! Your child! You have to think of your child!" she kept repeating as Emilia's shouts turned to cries and all Levi could do was watch in silence.

"You made them trust you BUT YOU JUST LET THEM DIE!" Emilia kept shouting, but now she stopped trying to reach Levi. "You didn't even try to get them back home, didn't you!? YOU LEFT THEM!" The entire room was silent, except for some more crying from the other families – Auruo's parents who usually apologize for their son's unbearable attitude, Gunter's grandfather sitting in one corner, his hands covering his face, Petra's father still on the ground…

Irvin looked back, stood on the doorway and just watched. He knew well this is the best thing to do at the moment.

Levi, after having a quick look around the room, looked back at Erd's fiancé, now red and even more swollen than Levi remembered her a few seconds ago. He glanced at the old woman, before he turned around, his back to the rest of the people in the room.

"YOU CAN'T EVEN CRY FOR THEM!"

With that Levi stood his ground one more time, and went for the door.

xXxXx

End Notes: I took the liberty to name Erd's girlfriend, and yeah, turned her into his fiance. Next chapter is one click away! ;)